Middle Earth

Residence Halls

Middle Earth is not only a place where Hobbits live in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, it is also a first year housing community at UC Irvine! Centrally located just off of Ring Road between Social Science and Engineering, Middle Earth has 24 residence halls ranging in size from 45 to 75 beds. Rooms are grouped into suites (single gender or co-ed), with common space for studying or socializing. Most rooms are double- or triple-occupancy, but some single-occupancy rooms are also available. Most halls are co-ed, though all-female, all-male, and gender neutral options are available. Each hall has a living room, small kitchen, and laundry facilities.

Find Your Theme

Do you want to learn about Research Opportunities on campus? Are you thinking about Study Abroad or maybe about a Career in Teaching? Whatever your interests, there is a special interest hall or hall cluster theme for you in Middle Earth! Check out the theme options (listed on the right) and find out how living in Middle Earth can support your Academic and Career Options, Interpersonal Relationships, Health and Safety Strategies, and more!

Meal Plans and Dining Facilities

All students living in the residence halls hold a meal plan, and each res-hall community has a dining commons that serves three meals a day, Monday-Friday, and two meals a day on Saturday & Sunday. Check out your dining options at www.food.uci.edu.

What do residents say about Middle Earth?

Living in Middle Earth is like a dream come true: Convenient on-campus location, friendly staff and residents, and everyone comes to eat lunch or dinner here - What more could you ask for?”

The convenience and atmosphere of Middle Earth are the best! It's really allowed me to adapt well to college life.

Middle Earth creates a welcoming environment that is close-knit and allows a safe place for residents to meet new people.

Study Spaces

Brandywine Student Center

Theme Halls

This hall is for females only and has programming that focuses on women’s issues. In collaboration with the Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) Office, women will learn strategies for healthy relationships and positive self-image. Throughout the year, residents of Oakenshield will partner with peers in Rivendell (the all men’s hall), on a variety of educational activities (e.g., classes, retreats, volunteer opportunities) and fun social events (e.g., bonfires, socials, intramural sports teams).

The Campus Connections theme hallis designed to provide support to First-Generation students as they transition to college life. Support services include summer tips on preparing for college, a 3-quarter University Studies class on “Foundations for Success”, access to tutoring and mentoring, a supportive community environment, and much more! Click here for details.

This hall is committed to providing students with an atmosphere conducive to study and academic excellence. It is reserved for students in the Campuswide Honors Program. Special admission requirements apply.

Seeking a few good men! Residents will explore what it means to be a man in today’s world, while developing a sense of personal direction and life purpose. A wide range of issues will be addressed in discussions, programs, service opportunities, and retreats that will help residents grow as positive male role models. By learning together and building effective communication and leadership skills, residents will create a community guided by intellect and integrity. Throughout the year, residents of Rivendell will partner with peers in Oakenshield (the all women’s hall), on a variety of educational activities (e.g., classes, retreats, volunteer opportunities) and fun social events (e.g., bonfires, socials, intramural sports teams). This hall in Middle Earth will provide a one-of-a-kind, unique growth experience.

General Interest Halls provide growth opportunities to help residents define their educational and personal goals through outreach opportunities and programs which serve to support and reinforce First Year Initiatives. The environment in these halls addresses first-year developmental issues including, but not limited to, homesickness, interpersonal relationships, time and stress management, getting involved, managing conflict, and self-expression in order to assist students in building a solid foundation for collegiate success.

This hall is for students from a wide variety of majors who share an interest in the arts. Residents in this hall need not major in an artistic field; all majors are welcome. We are committed to providing students with an environment in which they can explore their shared passion for the arts as a community while supporting their individual success in their academic disciplines.

This innovative hall will explore the impact of engineering and technology in our daily lives. Open to students of all majors, residents will explore how technology empowers many fields of study. Students can engage in dialogues related to scientific breakthroughs as well as the many ethical challenges that these discoveries present. This includes concerns in biotechnology and genetic research, the impact of social media on communication and society, and the development of new technologies that shape our culture. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in discussion about how technology can be utilized to provide solutions for local and global issues.

Open House is an inclusive and non-judgmental community where diversity and the exploration of identity are celebrated. While all residents are welcome, Open House is specifically a safe and affirming environment for residents who identify with the queer community. Residents of any sexual orientation or gender identity (including, but not limited to, lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, and transgender) are encouraged to apply, as are allies and supporters of the LGBT community. In conjunction with Student Housing and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, collaborative programs will foster community, encourage self-expression and create an atmosphere of openness and learning. In addition, in order to best serve its residents, Open House is the only hall in Middle Earth with gender-neutral roommate assignments, allowing for students to request a roommate of any gender identity.

Living in this community will introduce you to the many research and creative opportunities available to you at UC Irvine under the guidance of world-renowned faculty. Conducting a research or creative project has become an integral component of the undergraduate experience at UC Irvine. You will learn about the many benefits to participating in a research process that will prepare you for a successful career. You may also be introduced to off-campus opportunities with outside agencies including national laboratories, industrial partners, and other universities. Join this fun environment, discover your interests and passions, and meet members of the UROP team. For more information about UROP, please visit www.urop.uci.edu.

Community Nomenclature

Origins

In 1976 the first residents of Middle Earth selected the theme for the community, choosing names for each of the seven phase I halls from J.R.R. Tolkien's book, The Hobbit. Thereafter, a committee of students and staff have researched and recommended the names for the rest of the community's buildings from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Here are the definitions of the hall names:

Glossary of Names

The third King of Rohan, from 2570-2645 Third Age.

A wondrous large white gem sought by Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit. The Arkenstone shone of its own inner light, but having been cut and fashioned by the Dwarves, it also reflected and multiplied any light glancing upon its surface with marvelous beauty.

A great and noble dwarf of the House of Durin. One of the 13 dwarves who accompanied Bilbo Baggins on his journey in The Hobbit.

A translation of the Hobbit's (jesting) name for the river BARANDUIN ("Golden-brown-[large]-river") which formed the natural eastward defense of the Shire.

The chief village of Buckland, near Buck Hill. The Bucklebury Ferry plied across the Brandywine between the village and the Marish of the Eastfarthing.

The "Light Tower" on Tol Vinen.

Crickhollow is a small country village located north of Buckleberry.

(Half-elven) Bearer of the Great Ring, Vilya, mightiest of the three. Master of Rivendell.

Arwen Evenstar (Evening Star) was the most beloved of the Elves. She showed strength and wisdom and pursued balance and happiness.

"Hidden Rock". One of the foremost Elven cities. Translates literally to "Hill-of-Stone-and-Song." Described as the "Hidden City."

The Havens of Mithlond, founded by Noldor in the Year I Second Age, as the chief harbor of the Eldar in Middle Earth.

The high vale in the northern White Mountains, above which lay Dunharrow, the most ancient stronghold in Rohan.

One of the older villages of the Shire. It sprawled around the hill of Hobbiton near the Pool of Bywater in the Westfarthing.

One of the mightiest fortifications of Middle-earth. The Ring of Isengard was a huge rock-wall, roughly circular in shape which enclosed a shallow valley.

The oldest of all names for the Golden Wood. It is a Silvan (i.e. Wood-elven) word, and its original meaning has not been recorded.

A rendering of the Grey-elven Taur e-Ndaedlos (literally, "Forest of Great Fear"). The mightiest surviving forest of western Middle-earth.

A rendering of the Grey-elven Hith Aiglir (literally, "Mist Peaks"). The greatest of all mountain ranges in western Middle Earth.

Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather was a very important king. He died attempting to restore peace and harmony to his people.

"Enclosed lands" The site of the greatest battle of the Third Age.

(Peregin Took) The 32nd Thain of the Shire. One of the most notable Hobbits of his day. A member of the Fellowship of the Ring.

"The Speech." The oldest of all recorded languages of elves, and thus all people.

A translation of the Sindarin name Imladris (literally, "Deep-Cloven-Valley" or "Deep Dale of the Cleft"). The name of the dwelling of Master Elrond in the foothills of the Misty Mountains.

"Land of Horses" Wide and spacious realm, known for its horses, which lay north of Gondor, upon the further side of the White Mountains.

The name given in Rohan to the chief of the Mearas, Prince of the Horses. Bearer of Gandalf the Grey in the War of the Rings.

A translation of the Hobbit-word Sûza, the name given among western Hobbits to the region which was approximately the area between the river Brandywine and the Emyn Beraid (Tower Hills).

A river of eastern Rohan. It rose in Harrowdale and flowed northwards as far as the hill of Edoras.

Oak wood at the front end of Ered Nimrais.

A village in the Eastfarthing of the Shire, at the north eastern corner of Woody End.

"Home of the Valar." Those who live in Valimar have angelic powers and were responsible for creating Middle Earth. They're known for having little sense of evil.